Tackling the Internet Inclusivity Challenge: A Conversation with Asif Aziz, CCO Jazz
According to the latest Inclusive Internet Index released by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Pakistan falls in the bottom quartile of the index, second to last in Asia, and at 90th place overall out of 120 countries studied. The report presents an alarming picture of internet availability, affordability, relevance, and readiness in Pakistan which calls for emergency measures at the policy level for immediate redressal of the situation.
ProPakistani got a chance to sit with Asif Aziz, Chief Commercial Officer, Jazz, and explore solutions to address this key issue. We also talked about the policy interventions required to put a smartphone in every hand so that every Pakistani can reap the benefits of modern-day connectivity.
At the end of May, Prime Minister Imran Khan inaugurated the Ehsaas Saving Wallets initiative in Islamabad, a programme that will bring women into the financial inclusion net by allowing female beneficiaries the use of digital wallets for savings and cash withdrawals.
“As the pool of bank accounts increases, poverty decreases,” said the prime minister. “And when you bring women into the financial system, they are able to save money, start businesses and control their own lives.”
Given that only 18 percent of women in Pakistan are account holders, this initiative aims to widen the financial net for women. However, access to mobile money wallets requires access to mobile and internet services. Increasing the number of digital wallets for women may, therefore, prove to be a Herculean task, considering that Pakistan suffers from a 38 percent gender gap in mobile phone ownership (the highest in South Asia) and a 49 percent gender gap in internet usage.
Telecom Sector Urges Govt to Abolish WHT on Services
Aimed at making internet and data services affordable to low-income groups, the telecom sector has proposed the abolishment of withholding tax on telecom services.
According to budget proposals for 2021-22, the telecom sector has quoted research published by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Pakistan is among the highest-taxed telecom markets in the world while it ranks second highest in telecom taxation in South Asia.
The telecom sector has stated that currently 12.5% WHT is collected from all telecom users regardless of their income tax liability. Out of over 220 million, approximately 2.9 million file taxes, which is one percent of the total population. Despite the fact that a majority of the country’s population had non-taxable income, they are paying WHT which they can never claim back.
IT sector seeks urgent policy
Looks to ease pressure on telecom networks for delivering high quality service
ISLAMABAD:
The IT and telecom industry has sought urgent policy interventions including the release of additional spectrum free of cost to ease pressure on telecom networks to deliver better quality services and speed up digital adoption.
In view of Pakistan’s poor ranking in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s recently released Inclusive Internet Index, the telecom industry has sought urgent policy interventions.
The 2021 index shows that the overall ranking of Pakistan is 90, against 89 in 2020 and 77 in 2019 out of 100 countries in the index report. It is worth mentioning that the low ranking is partially attributable to the dearth of adequate spectrum allocated to the cellular mobile service providers.
Internet inclusivity a challenge
An internet cable is seen at a server room in this picture illustration taken in Warsaw January 24, 2012. PHOTO: REUTERS
KARACHI:
Pakistan has performed worst in South Asia on the Inclusive Internet Index in 2021 despite ranking the highest in the internet affordability parameter.
T h e E c o n o m i s t Intelligence Unit recently released the Inclusive Internet Index in which Pakistan dropped down to the 90th spot among 120 countries.
The factors determining the ranking include availability, quantity, infrastructure and electricity, affordability with regard to price and competitive environment, readiness in terms of literacy, trust, safety and policy, and relevance in relation to local and relevant content.